5 Foods You Have to Have at Your Super Bowl Party

The start of a new year always brings resolutions and the promise of change and improvement. But, it also brings us the Super Bowl, which is nothing if not an excuse to engage in decadent face-stuffing in between tackles and field goals.

With the Big Game coming up in February, now is the time to start planning your game day menu. Although there are tons of options available, we've decided to rank the top five based on popularity, convenience, and how well they will serve you and your guests. Here are the five foods you have to have at your Super Bowl party.

#1 Chicken Wings

Did you know that Americans consume an average of 1.42 billion wings on Super Bowl Sunday? That's a lot of sauce and bones! With so much demand for this special day, you need to stock up early so you don't have to worry about running out during the halftime show. Wing math can be kind of complicated, but when in doubt, always get an extra bag. Plus, you can always save the leftovers for another day.

The main question with wings is how to prepare them and whether to make your sauce from scratch or buy pre-sauced wings. If you're going the scratch-made route, we recommend steaming and then frying your chicken to make it juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Baking is the preferred method, but it can dry the meat out if you're not careful.

#2 Potato Skins

Potatoes are naturally versatile and easy to make, and potato skins allow you to let your creativity shine. You can put just about anything in a potato skin, including cheese, bacon, sour cream, chives, onions, and even meat.

The trick with potato skins is to cook the potatoes by themselves in the oven. If you want melted and crispy cheese, you can add a layer to bake with the potatoes. Once they're ready, then you can add the other (pre-cooked) ingredients as needed.

#3 Nachos

Who doesn't love a good plate of nachos? This dish has become something of a culinary centerpiece, with amateur and professional chefs alike discovering new ways to make nachos more delicious than ever before.

While there are no "wrong" ways to make nachos, here are some excellent options:

• BBQ Nachos - Shredded BBQ pork or chicken works perfectly, but if you have the time and patience, nothing compares to brisket or burnt ends.
• Taco Nachos - In this case, you want to cook a bunch of taco meat (i.e., Asada or Pastor) so you can sprinkle it over the chips. Feel free to add guacamole and spicy sauce too.
• Smothered Nachos - Real cheese is always the best option, but if you want extra-gooey nachos, you can use Velveeta or other pre-melted cheese products.

Also, remember to layer your nachos and make sure the cheese is melted thoroughly before serving. Otherwise, you'll have dry chips in the center, and no one wants that.

#4 Seven-Layer Bean Dip

Chips and dip are essential sides for any party, Super Bowl or otherwise. But, instead of guacamole or salsa, a seven-layer bean dip is always a surefire hit. Everyone has an old family recipe, but our picks for the seven layers (from bottom to top) include:

• Refried Beans
• Cheddar Cheese
• Chorizo (or ground beef)
• Salsa
• Black Olives
• Colby Jack Cheese
• Sour Cream

#5 Chili Cheese Tater Tots

Let's face it - you're not trying to cut calories or keep a clean face, so you might as well go all out with your Super Bowl dishes. Chili cheese tater tots are as delicious as they sound, and they're much easier to make than you might think.

The secret is to use high-quality chili (or make your own), and then use premium melted cheese like Velveeta. Then, layer the tots, chili, and cheese on top for a messy plate of deliciousness. Best of all, you can make your tots spicy or mild, and you can even make them vegetarian by using meat-free chili.

Bonus: Let McCray's Tavern Handle the Menu!

When it comes to tasty convenience, McCray's Tavern is the perfect place to watch the Super Bowl in Midtown and celebrate touchdowns with friends. We have an extensive game day menu, so you don't have to worry about triggering the smoke alarm or cleaning up the dishes afterward. So come on down!

Order your Super Bowl carry-out now!